Wethought we’d bring in the New Year with a fresh new magazine and fresh new look.
It’s been busy at Elite Magazine HQ, as we now have new owners! Your local magazine is now published by Colchester- and Clacton-On-Sea-based print and marketing company, The DS Group. We’ll still continue to bring you the same magazine that you know and love, but will now be including lots more insight into what’s going on in your local area, plus interviews, exclusives, details of events and much more!
In this issue, we bring you news of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s most glamorous night of the year: Strictly Air Ambulance. The evening is usually a sell-out event and will see performances from celebrity professional dancers Pasha Kovalev and Chloe Hewitt from the BBC’s own Strictly Come Dancing! Read our Cover Story feature on pages 12 & 13 for more about the event, as well as information on how to secure your tickets.
We also take a look at what’s planned at the new Northern Gateway Leisure Park set to open soon near the Colchester Football Stadium. We also round out this issue with a fun quiz, where you can test your knowledge of Colchester and the CO postcode area.
We hope you’re making the most of the New Year, and enjoy reading this issue!
The fitter, Andrew, was extremely friendly and polite. He removed his shoes without being asked. He let me know what he was going to do and the work was carried out very efficiently with little mess. We have another window which will also need some repairs and I will definitely call Mr Misty again.
Replacement
Very friendly and efficient service. Excellent work completed by Andrew today
So Impressed, I have put Photos and review on Facebook the job is superb. Its cut out almost all the noise we had from the main road units look fantastic you would hardly know they are there. Tonight its been so warm we have had to open doors and I have taken my jumper off - totally unheard of after about August each year let alone in November, Totally blown away with this job.
We are thrilled with the work and the customer service provided by Josh. He was so tidy and the glazing looks so good. We have had acoustic glass fitted and as we live by the road it has made a huge difference. We have had lots of positive comments. We would highly recommend Mr Misty for secondary glazing.
A really professional job. From the quote to the finished windows everything done to a very high standard. Arrived punctual, job carried out with no fuss and everywhere left clean and tidy.
Garolla is revolutionising the roller garage door industry. With impeccable products and outstanding customer service, upgrading your home has never been easier.
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Increased borrowing rates and warnings over a drop in house prices has pushed the issue of ‘move or improve’ to the top of the agenda, with a huge amount of caution creeping into the house sales market.
At a recent summit meeting for the glazing industry, Barclays’ Chief Economist William Hobbs said that sky-high mortgage rates now and in the foreseeable future raised expectations that more people would invest in home improvements rather than move house.
The options for ‘improve’ over ‘move’ look promising, not least in terms of creating more space via conservatories or bi-fold doors.
There is also evidence that homeowners who have benefitted from a long,
steep increase in property values are now considering releasing equity to carry out home improvements that will, in the long run, add value to their homes when prices settle once more.
Steve Rawding, Sales and Marketing Director at leading South East home improvement company SEH BAC, expects to see more people considering home improvement options as the outlook for the economy darkens and the cost of living bites.
“We’re living in uncertain times, to say the least, and this is definitely fuelling an interest in home improvements as opposed to moving. The cost of having a conservatory built when you take into account increased mortgage rates and the actual cost of moving, offers particularly good value for money and a sound investment.
“A new conservatory will increase your property’s footage, adding value overall. And given the energy efficiency of modern conservatories, you’re also saving money at a time when gas and electricity prices are causing understandable worry.”
Of course, improving your property should be done using the best advice possible, especially in the current climate, which is why it is wise to call in the experts.
“Careful planning and good advice can bring home improvements you can be proud of,” Steve said. “In the rush to save money or add value it’s sometimes forgotten that a house is also a home, so think carefully about where and how your property and your family can benefit from improvement.”
With more than 50 years’ experience installing to homes in Essex, SEH BAC is one of the longest running home improvement companies in the UK.
For more information call 0800 666 444 or visit www.sehbac.com.
Ticketsare on sale now for one of the city’s most glamorous fundraising nights of the year, as Strictly Air Ambulance is set to make its star-studded return.
Strictly Air Ambulance is back for 2023!
Taking place at Colchester’s prestigious Charter Hall on Saturday 25th March, the annual event always promises an evening of glitz and glamour, and all in aid of an important and worthwhile
charity: the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.
Strictly Come Dancing fans will be familiar with the event’s format, as six contestants and their professional partners will be competing to impress the judges with their Latin and Ballroom dance routines. Only one pair will be able to take home the coveted Strictly Air Ambulance trophy for 2023.
This year, Essex & Herts Air
Ambulance are proud to have a more impressive panel of celebrity performers than ever before, as professional dancers Pasha Kovalev and Chloe Hewitt of Strictly fame will be dancing, as well as serving on the judging panel. Alongside them, other judges will include EHAAT CEO, Jane Gurney; Pro Latin dancer, Ben Milan Vega; and the head judge has been announced as Phil Meacham, of Chelmsford Dance Centre.
The evening event is usually
a sell-out success, and organisers are predicting the same for this year’s Strictly Air Ambulance competition, especially considering the evening will be hosted for the first time by EHAAT’s Patron and Celebrity MasterChef Champion, Lisa Snowdon, alongside ITV Presenter David Whiteley.
An avid dancer since her childhood, EHAAT’s CEO, Jane Gurney, is delighted that Strictly Air Ambulance is returning and said:
”This is a brilliant opportunity
to enjoy some spectacular dancing and entertainment, whilst at the same time helping us to continue our vital work as a charity across the region.
“Although we are very excited about our celebrities, let’s not forget the evening is a fundraising event to support the pre-hospital emergency services we provide to our local communities. Our six contestants have been paired with professional dancers and have already been given their dances. They are now hard at work as they prepare to battle
it out for the glitter ball trophy.
“Tickets always sell fast, so I would recommend stocking up before Christmas – they always make great gifts for the Strictly fans in your life. I for one, am looking forward to a getting my dancing shoes on and I can’t wait to see you there!”
This year’s Strictly Air Ambulance evening is sponsored by TC Group and Roomes Furniture, and tickets cost between £20 and £27.50 for the evening’s festivities.
If you’re a Strictly superfan, for an an extra £10, you can rub shoulders with the stars of the show, grab a bite to eat and dance to the strictly fantastic DJ, at the after-show party that takes place from 10.30pm till 12.30am.
To book your tickets, please visit www. colchester-events. co.uk
Colchester’s new Northern Gateway Leisure Park is scheduled to open in Autumn 2023 – let’s take a look at some of the exciting new features it’s going to bring to the area.
Launched in April 2021, Colchester Sports Park was the first of several planned activities planned to make up part of the new Northern Gateway development.
Located north of the A12, right next to junction 28, the sports park features an allweather 1-mile cycle track, rugby and football pitches, cricket, badminton, football, table tennis and netball
facilities, and an impressive gym suite.
Following on from the success of the Sports Park, property developer Turnstone Estates have gained planning approval for a 200,000 sq. ft. leisure scheme that will serve Colchester and its residents.
The development will boast a huge list of planned leisure features, including a 12-screen
Cineworld, two drivethru restaurants, a 90-bed Travelodge hotel, a bowling alley, indoor golf centre, seven restaurants, and a Jump Street climbing centre.
The leisure park forms part of a wider strategy by Colchester Borough Council, who are hoping to revitalise the city following the economic hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Landlords, first-time buyers and experienced investors, as well as anyone who is interested in making their house a home are invited to the Essex Property Show. Get inspired with the latest trends, find out how best to decorate, renovate and enjoy the ultimate shopping experience for your home.
Brought to you courtesy of Belhus Properties, The Essex Property Show has been created to offer anyone interested in the property market expert advice, guidance and support on every aspect of buying, renting and renovating property.
This one-day spectacular event will feature a whole host of expert speakers, who will deliver LIVE talks and demonstrations that will offer helpful insider tips on the industry, including (but not limited to) mortgage advice, surveyor advice, landlord tips, renovation and extension planning, interior design hacks and garden landscaping inspirations. And if you require further personal assistance, you can book
a slot to speak with one of our experts in a one-to-one private session in our ‘speak to the experts’ area.
Alongside this wealth of expert property knowledge that will be available throughout the day, visitors will also benefit from local businesses exhibiting a wide range of products and services. Take your time to explore and discover a variety of bespoke, locally crafted furniture and unique home décor items to help transform your house into a beautiful home.
This is the ideal opportunity for first-time buyers, landlords and investors to get
the very latest expert property advice, as well as inspiration on the latest home and garden trends. The Essex Property Show provides all your property needs, locally, all under one roof.
The Essex Property Show will take place 10 am - 4 pm on Sunday 26th February 2023 at Charter Hall, Colchester. Tickets, including limited VIP tickets are available at: bit.ly/ EssexPropertyShowEM
For businesses wishing to exhibit please visit https:// essexpropertyshow. co.uk/exhibit-at-theshow/
Littlegarth is a non-selective independent preparatory school for children between the ages of 2½ and 11 situated in the beautiful Stour Valley overlooking the village of Nayland.
Littlegarth prides itself on preparing children thoroughly for the rigours of entrance exams to grammar and selective independent schools whilst embracing a broad and exciting curriculum. Specialist teachers offer guidance in key subjects and the children achieve extremely high standards in a wide range of activities.
The school has been judged as ‘Outstanding’ in all four categories in the school’s latest ISI inspection and the excellent reputation the school
has for academic success was highlighted in the Standard Inspection Report which commented, “The overall achievement of the pupils is excellent, because of the exemplary attitude to learning by the pupils, who approach every task with delightful enthusiasm” and “The evidence from the inspection is that the pupils make exceptional progress when compared with those of similar above-average ability”
Littlegarth children also achieve excellent standards in music, art and drama and in recent years sports teams have achieved unbeaten seasons and have won regional and national titles in major sports. Children of all abilities acquire a passion for a wide variety of activities inside and outside the classroom and the school works hard to feed that enthusiasm to ensure that each child leaves Littlegarth a confident member of a successful team.
Littlegarth recently received a visit from The Good Schools guide and the glowing review resulting from this visit and subsequent interviews with parents can be found on the School’s website.
Despite the huge difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the children continued to receive their full curriculum and results in external exams have seen 11 children achieve places at our
local grammar schools while all children gained places at the independent schools of their choice. In the past four years, more than half of the Year 6 leavers have been awarded scholarships to senior independent schools with 80 children gaining over 120 scholarship awards. Head, Kathy Uttley is delighted with these excellent results; ‘The children and staff worked extremely hard in a very difficult year and we are very proud of the achievements of all our children. They really enjoy supporting each other and children of all ability levels feel that they are making a valuable contribution to the success of this very exciting school’.
1What department store on Colchester’s High Street was changed to become Fenwicks?
a) Williams and Griffin b) Debenhams c) John Lewis
2X Factor winner Matt Cardle is a resident of which Colchester town? a) Halstead b) Boxted c) Harwich
3Which nursery rhyme supposedly originated in Colchester? a) Jack and Jill b) Humpty Dumpty c) Hickory Dickory Dock
4What village in the CO postcode area is said to be in the running to be the largest in the UK?
a) Coggeshall b) Dedham c) Tiptree
5What river is runs through the town of Dedham?
a) River Colne b) River Stour c) River Orwell
6What was Colchester’s name in Roman times? a) Camulodunum b) Colkestus c) Boudiceaium
7What animal famously spends so much of its time near Mersea Island’s crabbing dock that it’s become a local attraction?
a) Owl b) Octopus c) Seal
8True or False: Colchester Zoo’s elephant, Kito, was the first ever elephant calf born via artificial insemination in Britain?
a) True b) False
Answers:
Stour
Dumpty
Halstead
Williams and Griffin
